Within a medical setting, the job of a CNA1 (or certified nursing assistant) is to provide vital assistance to RNs (registered nurses) and LPNs (licensed practical nurses). It is the job of a CNA to tend to the patients within their ward, completing tasks that the RNs and LPNs may not have the time to get to. In some cases, a CNA may be the medical attendant a patient interacts with most frequently.

Daily duties in a CNA job may include bathing and grooming patients, assisting patients with the intake of food or medicine, checking vital signs, and dressing wounds. A CNA is also expected to ensure that all rooms are tidy and sanitized, bedpans are empty, and linens are fresh. Additionally, a CNA should be comfortable documenting their patients’ conditions and any changes that may have occurred, as they are expected to communicate this information to the correlating nurses or physicians on each case.

In order to excel in the job of CNA, a candidate must possess a great deal of patience and compassion. Many of the patients a certified nursing assistant will come in contact with on a daily basis are in varying degrees of pain and are in need of sympathy and support. Verbal and written communication skills, as well as listening skills, are also extremely important. A CNA should also pride themselves on attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and good ethics.

Certified nursing assistants may work in any and all medical institutions. They may be found in state, local, or private hospitals, but are more commonly employed by long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. CNAs may also work in residential settings, caring for patients who have opted for in-home care or who require hospice care.

Educational requirements to become a CNA are dictated by state, however, there are very few instances where a college degree is required to enter this role. Most commonly, the minimum requirement involves formal training in the field, followed by the earning of a postsecondary award or certificate. The certification required for an entry level position will vary by state. Be advised that some states may require continuing education courses once the minimum certification has been earned.